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Monthly Archives: July 2015

Bill McCormick checked in from the World News Center with a wrap-up of San Diego Comic-Con, including the movie trailers that were leaked in the wake of the convention. We also discussed the science of the Fantastic Four.

Piff The Magic Dragon is a Las Vegas-based entertainer and is arguably the #1 performing magic dragon in the world. Recently he was a recipient of the “Golden Buzzer” from guest judge Neil Patrick Harris on “America’s Got Talent” and advanced directly to the finals. We discussed his early magic tricks & comedy magic influences, why his trusty sidekick Mr. Piffles was unavailable for his initial appearance on AGT, and his experience opening for Mumford & Sons (and why he could never open for Paul McCartney).

Jim Gaffigan called in to the show and spent a few minutes with us talking about “The Jim Gaffigan Show” (which premieres tonight at 10/9C on TVLand), as well as his upcoming stand-up show at Northerly Island on August 6th. We discussed how the show was almost 10 years in the making, why people who are expecting a traditional sitcom are certainly going to be surprised, and what he looks forward to doing when he comes home to the Chicago area.

Laura Vandervoort called in to promote the DVD release of season 2 of “Bitten” and announced that the show will be heading into production next month for season 3. We talked about the evolution of the characters and how that changes her approach as an actress, what we’ll see on the DVD set, and how the cast developed their special chemistry.

Jennifer Bartels & Lil Rel Howery are two of the stars, writers and executive producers of the TruTV sketch comedy series “Friends of the People,” which has its mid-season premiere Thursday night at 10:30/9:30CT. We discussed how the group came together, why choosing a name is difficult no matter what you’re choosing it for, their writing process, and how they’ve put their own unique spin on a sketch comedy show.

You know the amazingly talented Lauren Lapkus from “Oranges: The New Black.” She’s currently on cinema screens in “Jurassic World” and is also starring in TBS’s new hit comedy “Clipped,” which airs Tuesday nights at 10/9C. In addition, she’s one of the funniest podcast performers ever. We talked about her improv background in Chicago, how she develops her characters, and what we’ll see on Tuesday’s new episode of “Clipped.” We also discuss a phrase she created with one of her characters on Comedy Bang! Bang! that almost got me fired when I quoted it (something involving Whitney Peeps and a “bloppy jay”). We’re good, though. Lauren is the literal definition of “very funny.”

Lacey Chabert called in to promote her new movie on the Hallmark Channel (part of their “Christmas in July” programming), “Family For Christmas.” We talked about why she loves doing holiday movies (she’s done a few others for Hallmark), how she gets in the Christmas mood in July, and whether or not Claudia on Party of Five set the all-time record for TV tears.

“Family For Christmas” premieres Saturday, July 11 at 9/8C on Hallmark Channel.

Of all of our favorite guests on the show, Scott Aukerman might just be our favoritest. Scott called in to talk about the return of Comedy Bang! Bang! tonight on IFC at 10:30/9:30Central. It’s a new episode, new bandleader, and presumably new jokes. We also discussed whether or not the death of Michael Cera in season one is canonical (and how that might impact my Comedy Bang! Bang! fan fiction), why they didn’t do any practice shows or a week-long residency in the Catskills to break in the new bandleader, and how catchphrases are born.

Tune in at exactly 9:29:59 Central for an all new Comedy Bang! Bang! tonight on IFC.

Mark McGrath called in to talk about Sugar Ray’s “Under The Sun” tour, which this year includes Uncle Kracker, Eve 6 and Better Than Ezra. We talked about the diversity of the music charts in the ’90s (like how Sugar Ray battled Cher for a #1 single) and Mark’s upcoming projects, including his appearances in Sharknado 3 and Joe Dirt 2.

Marty Krofft is a legendary TV producer who is responsible for some of my fondest childhood memories — watching “Land of the Lost” and “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.” We discussed his new show, “Mutt & Stuff,” premiering on Nickelodeon this Friday morning. I also found out the Sigmund costume I wore in pre-school would be worth a small fortune if I still had it. Time to raid my parents’ attic!